Restore funding to the Youth Affairs Network Queensland

YANQ is the only peak body for the youth sector in Queensland. We have recently been notified that the State Government plans to pull ALL funding to YANQ by December 31st 2012.

Peak bodies are essential services that support and link workers, provide evidence-based advice and directly engage with decision-makers and the wider community. YANQ has built a state wide network of youth services to support policy development and workforce development in the regions.

Peak bodies across Queensland have recently received a 10-17.5% cut in funds following the hand-down of the LNP State Government's first budget. However, several peak bodies, including YANQ, were notified that they would not receive any funding into the future.

We have had very many emails expressing concern and support for YANQ. We now ask that you sign this petition to the Minister for Communities, Tracy Davis, asking her to recognise the essential services that YANQ provides to the youth sector, and restore funding to the only peak body in Queensland.

I call on you to immediately restore funding to the Youth Affairs Network Qld. YANQ is the only peak body of the Queensland youth sector and plays a vital role in state-wide co-ordination and service support.

YANQ was established to focus its attention entirely on the youth sector, based on a sophisticated understanding of the complexities of responding to, and advocating for, the interests of young people - particularly marginalised and disadvantaged young people. Other community sector bodies do not have the experience, capacity or legitimacy to take on YANQ's role as the peak body of the Queensland youth sector.

YANQ has established a state wide network of youth services to support policy development and workforce development in the regions. Over the last 4 years, it has undertaken a state wide workforce development strategy to inform government and the youth sector on workforce needs.

I am very concerned that there will not be a state funded specialist voice for the youth sector in a time where youth services are already facing diminished capacity to support young people as a result of the efficiency dividend and defunding of important programs like the Get Set For Work Program.

Therefore, I call on you to reinstate funding to YANQ as a matter of urgency.